Olga Soldatkina, Researcher of the International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, told News.ru, how vacation pay is calculated, why it may vary from month to month, and when the employer is obliged to compensate for delayed payments.
According to the expert, the procedure for calculating vacation pay is governed by the Regulation on the Specifics of the Procedure for Calculating Average Wages, approved by Russian Government Resolution No. 540 of April 24, 2025. The calculation is based on the employee's average daily earnings.
"In simple terms, vacation pay is the average daily wage multiplied by the number of vacation days. The calculation is based on the 12 full months preceding the vacation. It includes salary, base pay, and bonuses, but excludes sick leave, business trips, vacation pay, and downtime," explained Olga Soldatkina.
She noted that if there are incomplete working months, a different calculation formula is used, taking into account the actual calendar days worked. This can significantly impact the final payment amount.
The expert also noted that the choice of vacation month directly impacts the amount of vacation pay.
"If vacation falls during months with many holidays, such as May, the average daily earnings may be lower. This is because the salary is paid for the actual days worked, and the calculation coefficient remains unchanged. Therefore, vacation pay is often lower in months with holidays," Olga Soldatkina emphasized.
She reminded that, according to the Labor Code, vacation pay must be paid no later than three days before the start of vacation. In the event of a delay, the employer is obliged to pay compensation for each day of delay, and the employee has the right to request a vacation rescheduling.